Cancer is a genetic disease characterised by excessive cell proliferation, migration and invasion, which result in tumour development and its subsequent spreading to other tissues and organs. Phenotypic alterations in cell morphology and function are underlined by changes in gene/protein structure and expression. Expression of many other proteins is aberrant – either elevated or reduced. For example, expression of matrix metalloproteinases is increased, resulting in modifications in the extracellular matrix. This facilitates release of cancer cells from the primary tumour and promotes metastatic spread.
Cancer Mechanisms
Group Lead: Samrein Ahmed
The Cancer Mechanisms Research Group brings together researchers investigating the molecular and cellular processes that drive cancer development, progression, and treatment resistance across a range of tumour types. Research spans cell signalling, metabolism, the tumour microenvironment, immunology, and novel therapeutic targeting, with studies encompassing cancers including glioblastoma, pancreatic, breast, colorectal, uveal melanoma, osteosarcoma, and mesothelioma.
The group brings staff and students together in a collaborative, inclusive environment to support cancer-focused projects across the BMRC that aim to better understand disease mechanisms and inform new approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
Cell Biology & Translational Intervention
Group Lead: Nik Georgopoulos
This group focuses on understanding how cells and tissues respond to injury, stress and therapeutic challenge and translating this knowledge into interventions and technologies that improve human health. Its interests include chemotherapy-induced toxicities, supportive oncology, regenerative medicine, wound repair, therapeutic stress responses, oxidative stress biology, biomaterials and formulation approaches.
The group provides a home for staff and PGRs working across mechanistic cell biology, experimental human model systems, translational medicine and medical technology development. It has particular expertise in biology-driven supportive oncology, precision cytoprotection, translational cooling biology, intervention biology and mechanism-guided device optimisation. The group supports work that bridges discovery science with clinical and industry collaboration, with a strong emphasis on protecting normal tissues during cancer therapy and developing biologically informed interventions with real-world patient impact.
Bioinformatics and Data Science
Group Lead: Lewis Quayle
This group focuses on the application of bioinformatics, data science and computational methods to biological and healthcare data. Its core interests include multi-omic technologies, machine learning, reproducible computational workflows, translational biology, discovery biology and precision medicine.
The group is deliberately collaborative and peer-led, providing a space for colleagues and PGRs working with large-scale biological or clinical datasets to share methods, troubleshoot analyses and develop interdisciplinary projects. It will support methodological exchange, work-in-progress discussion, publication development, funding applications and open research resources, while avoiding becoming a service or analytical support function.
